Lexington, Ky. — In the past two months, the Falcon Crest Apartments area has seen a significant decrease in non-violent crimes committed by youth, according to local housing authority reports. This improvement is attributed to the efforts of community intervention programs focused on youth engagement and support.
The initiative, spearheaded by One Lexington, aims to prevent youth from entering the cycle of criminal activity. “A lot of that work is prevention, which is how do we get to young people before they get in that cycle,” said Devine Carama, a leader within the organization. On Monday afternoon, the group distributed candy and snacks to local children as part of their outreach efforts.
Carama expressed hopes to extend these initiatives to other areas of Lexington, stating, “If we can have this kind of presence all over the city from Winburn to East End to West End, I think we get ahead of a lot of things.” This proactive approach is not solely about crime prevention; it also includes assistance with temporary housing, job connections, and access to various resources.
“Love is a universal language,” Carama emphasized. He highlighted a crucial point that many of these young people are not inherently troubled; rather, they require care and support. “They just need love,” he added.
One Lexington plans to maintain its presence in the Falcon Crest Apartments community every Monday and Wednesday through the Thanksgiving weekend. Their ongoing commitment reflects a broader strategy to foster positive relationships and mitigate potential conflicts within the neighborhood.
With these efforts, community leaders are hopeful that sustained engagement will continue to yield positive results, contributing to a safer environment for the children and families living in the area.
